Could bulk fill glass hybrid restorative materials replace composite resins in treating permanent teeth? A randomized controlled clinical trial.

Objective: This study aims to compare the clinical and radiographic efficacy of Equia system bulk fill glass hybrid material with composite resins in the permanent restoration of pediatric patients' permanent teeth.

Materials And Methods: The study included 44 pediatric patients aged 8-16 who applied to Necmettin Erbakan University Pediatric Dentistry Department. The groups were formed as symmetrical teeth in the same patient using the split-mouth design. The study included class I caries lesions of 144 permanent teeth. Group 1 was restored with the Equia system bulk fill glass hybrid material (Equia Forte HT + Equia Forte Coat [GC, Co, Tokyo, Japan]) (n = 72) and Group 2 with the Charisma Smart universal composite resin (Kulzer, Gmbh, Hanau, Germany) + Clearfil SE Bond (Kuraray, Noritake, Sakazu, Okayama) (n = 72). Evaluations were performed clinically and radiographically by two physicians in 2nd week, 3rd month, 6th month, and 12th month and the results were recorded. Clinical evaluation was carried out using modified-USPHS criteria. Obtained data were statistically analyzed using Kendall's W test and Cochran's Q test for the comparison within the group, and the Chi-square test for the comparison between groups.

Results: Among the materials utilized in the study, there was no statistically significant difference in marginal adaptation, marginal discoloration, retention, anatomical form, postoperative sensitivity, and secondary caries according (p > 0.05). Group 2 outperformed statistically significant Group 1 in terms of color match in all periods (p < 0.05). While there was no statistically significant difference in surface structure between the groups in 2nd week and 3rd month (p > 0.05), there was a statistically substantial difference in 6th, and 12th months (p < 0.05). No secondary caries or periapical lesions were found in any restorations during radiographic evaluation.

Conclusion: After a year, the clinical performance of both Equia and composite resins was equivalent and successful in the majority of the measures against which they were evaluated.

Clinical Significance: Based on the results of the research, Equia system bulk fill glass hybrid restorations are considered a viable alternative to composite resins in class I permanent teeth restorations.